Trichoglossum hirsutum

Scientific name: Trichoglossum hirsutum (Pers.)
Boud. Derivation of name: Hirsut- means "hairy" in
reference to the velvety hairs present on the
fruitbody. Synonyms: Common name(s): Velvety earth tongue; Velvety
black earth tongue.Phylum: AscomycotaOrder: GeoglossalesFamily: GeoglossaceaeOccurrence on wood substrate: Saprobic;
solitary or clustered in soil, well-decayed wood or
among sphagnum mosses.
Dimensions: Dark brown to black fruitbodies are
up to 7.5 cm tall. Description: Fruitbody consists of club to lance-
shaped, compressed head-like portion supported
by a stalk. Both stalk and head have minute spines
(setae) that are visible with a hand lens. Velvety
hairs are present on the stalk. Edibility: Unknown.Comments: Identification beyond the genus will be
uncertain unless a microscope is used to examine
asci and ascospores. Bessette keys out 6 species
based on such characters. There are also a number
of similar species in the genus Geoglossum but species
in this genus lack the minute spines (setae).